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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam
The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.
Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.
Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!
Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.
Click here to report a problem with this page.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Daviv Thunbraye" <davivtunbraye@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2010 17:50:34 +0530
Subject: REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE
Goodday Sir/Madam
I am writing this mail to you with tears and sorrow from my heart. My Name is
Daviv Thunbraye a Sierra-Leonean 19-Yrs Old, Male.
I am indeed very sorry reaching you like this but for the issues involved as
its of Mutual Benefits to the both of us as I got your
contact from a sister that has travelled to your country.
I am presently in a Refugee Camp In Accra-Ghana. I ran away from my country
(SIERRE-LEONE) after my dad and mum were assassinated by the present dictator
Ahmed Tejjan Kabbah who wanted my dad dead by all means
due to my dad involvement in the King making of the suppose president.
That was six years ago till date Ahmed Tejjan Kabbah still chases me and thats
why i fled into Ghana to seek refuge since the year 2009.
After the death of my father,i was contacted by our family lawyer that my
father deposited the sum of US$10M usd with a bank in ghana .
I really need your favor in assisting me claim my inheritance funds worth
US$10Million United states dollars presently deposited with a BANK In
ACCRA-GHANA by my late father .
Please these funds are my life and I am hoping to fully invest in your country
and also further my Education as i have always wanted to be a medical doctor .
If interested,I will want you to forward me the below details so i can forward
your details to the bank as the beneficiary of my funds as I Am willing to
give you 30% for your assistance .
YOUR FULL NAMES
CONTACT ADDRESS
CELL PHONE NUMBER
HOME NUMBER
OCCUPATION
COPY OF ID
Please call me immediately you receive this message on 00233 540 781 512 for
more informations .
I will wait to hear from you soonest .
Worried son
Daviv Thunbraye
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